Automatic leveling mechanism for land levelers



June 3, E952 l. sEMNARio 2,599,499

AUTOMATIC LEVELING MECHANISM FOR LAND LEvELERs INVENTOR,

ATTORN EY /SAOQQE SEM/NA e/o 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY June 3, 1952 l.SEMINARIO AUTOMATIC LEVELING MECHANISM FOR LAND LEVELERS Filed June 19,1947 ,O5 QPJJ m w Y. EEE... m A m V N A M E 5 M O w @A Mw m m gwm mm A#Aw QNX, m Www@ m um. n. 1.....v ,www m mm w A i m. www A M; @HAHA mmm.u \%W QR* Wm. 41% W. N MQ .u .M El; um, @Aq www Nmmw @A A A A m. .A QW.0J/ wm, QN m mk A NAA QA A v. A www. Q. D A. E A A m. WAN

June 3, 1952 l. SEMINARIO AUTOMATIC LEVELING MECHANISM FOR LAND LEVELERSFiled June 19, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY June 3, 1952 l. SEMINARIOAUTOMATIC LEVELING MECHANISM FOR LAND L EvELERs 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FiledIJune .19,4 1947 Snventor, /SAUOQE 55M//YA2/ Cttomeg y Patented June 3,1952 AUTOMATIC LEVELING MECHANISM FOR LAND LEVELERS Isadore Seminario,LancasterCalif.

Application J une 19, 1947, Serial No. 755,635

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to levelers.

Devices of the present invention are utilized for the purpose ofleveling a seed bed. It is common practice, where alfalfa, is to begrown. to first roughly level the ground, followed by a further levelingbetween borders. A leveling is necessary to the end that after the seedis planted, the plot may be flooded with water. However, this so-calledflooding must be accomplished so that the water is evenly spread overthe plot. Heretofore, it has been customary to attempt to level theground by means of horses, and in so doing, the ground is packed. Thisresults in general unevenness of the ground, and perhaps of anindividual crop of alfalfa. 1f the ground happens to be of the adobetype, such a tramping by horses or other vehicle, forms a hard crust.

The present invention provides a machine which is used on dry soil, andbefore any flooding thereof. The machine of the invention levels theground to the end that water may spread evenly over the bed.

The invention has for further objects a leveler which is readilyadjusted for height. capable of working over ground that is uneven as toborder, and Which produces superior results.

With the above mentioned and other objects in view, the inventionconsists in the novel and useful provision, formation, construction,association, and relative arrangement of parts, members and features,all as shown in several embodiments in the accompanying drawings,described generally, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan View of the leveler shown attached toa tractor,

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one oi the scraper elements of theinvention,

Figure 5 is a View similar to Figure 2, but showing automatic means forleveling the scraper,

Figure 6 is a sectional side elevation on the line 6 6 of Figure 5, and

Figure '7 is a fluid flow diagram illustrating the operation of ahydraulic device for maintaining the platform of the invention in agiven position.

Referring new with particularity to the drawings, and specifically tothat form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, I

have provided a frame I supported at one end by Wheels 2 and 3. Thisframe includes two members 4 and 5 which merge at 6 and join with ashort-length pole 1. This constitutes the draft portion, as the pole 'Iis adapted to be secured to a tractor 8, whereby the leveler may bemoved over the ground. Any type of connection may be utilized betweenthe leveler and tractor, such as a pin received within a socket, or balland socket. The members 4 and 5 are secured to frame member 9 whichoverlies and is secured to stud axles I0 for the wheels 2 and 3. Themember 9 is channelled in section, as shown in Figure 3, and the axlesI0 may be secured within the channel by means of bolts II. As shown, theends of the frame members 4 and 5 are secured to the top of the member9, through the medium of brackets, designated generally as I2 and I3. Tobrace the frame, I have provided pairs of members I4, which connect theframe parts 4 and 5 with pairs of wheel-straddling frames I5 carriedbetween the studaxles and the member 9. As shown in Figure 2, the frameparts 4 and 5 are preferably of channel cross section to give strengthand to prevent weave, and the frame portions I4 and I5 may be ofcorresponding section.

Adapted to transversely span the frame mem` bers 4, 5, and I4, and to beconnected thereto, is a channel sectioned frame member I5. This memberfunctions to support, through suitable means to be described, a platformI1 suspended lbeneath the frame. The platform I'I comprises a pluralityof members which are bound together in Working relationship in anysuitable manner, such as, for instance, by means of side ties I8. Theseties include pairs of straps provided with openings through which andbetween which bolts may be passed and secured, as shown at I9 and 2U.The number of ties will depend upon the length of the platform. Theplatform in the drawings is shown as planking and the ties provide aconvenient means for securing the planking together. The` platform mustbe quite rigid in structure. In other adaptations, the planking may beheld together by passing bolts directly through transverse openings inthe planking.

The platform is held adjustably suspended from the frame member I6 bymeans designated generally as 2|. This means includes a pair of members22 and 23 in the form of lazy tongs. Specifically, each lazy tongsincludes links 24, 25, v 26 and 21, the links 24 and 25 being connectedby pin 28, and links 26 and ,21 Joined by pin 29.

The pins are transversely bored and screwthreaded to receive anoppositely pitched screwthreaded shaft 30. This shaft carries a crank 3|whereby, upon turning the crank, the links are caused to approach orseparate. Links 24 and 2\6 are pinned to plate 32, while the ends oflinks 25 and 21 are pinned to a plate 33 carried on the frame member l5.The plate 32 is provided with a transversely positioned bolt 34 carryingnut 35. The bolt supports pendent straps 36 and 31 positioned onopposite sides of plate 32, which straps carry turn-buckles designatedgenerally as 38, the members 39 of -which are swingingly mounted on atie rod 42 extending between plates and 4|. The plates 40 and 4| arepositioned intermediate the length of and on opposite sides of theplatform. These plates are clamped to the platform by means of lower andupper bolts 43 and 44 (see Figures 2 and 3).

The bolt 34 is provided with a vertical stud 45 which is secured to oneend. of a brace l46 by means of a pin 41, the opposite end of the bracebeing pinned to the pole 1 at 48. It is evident thatv when the crank 3|is rotated to move the screw shaft 30, the lazy tongsV will raise orlower plate 32, which. will cause movement of the brace 46. In order toassure that the crank 3| will always be in position of service, I haveprovided abracket 49 whichsupports the crank.

As the platform is suspended substantially centrally thereof, I providea means for preventing oscillation. This is accomplished by providingpairs of links 50. One of the links 50, as best shown in Figure 3, ispinned at one end 5| to plate 40, while the opposite link 50 issimilarly pinned at 52 to a housing or casing 53. The opposite end ofeach link 50 has secured thereto a turn-buckle 54, each turn-bucklebeing rockably secured by means of a pin to brackets 55 carried by oneof the framemembers |4. It is evident that asv the lazy tongs isactuated to raise or lower thev platform, that the platform will moveinA an arc due to the presence of the links 50 with their associatedturn-buckles. If the platform tilts during such movement, a lever 55maybe operated to return the platform to a horizontal position. Thelever 56 is pivoted at 51 to a frame member |4, there being a linkconnection 53 between an end of the lever and means 59 secured to theplatform. This lever is positioned substantially intermediate the links50, as see Figure 1. To maintain the platform at eitherA a giveninclination or level, to wit; horizontal, I provide at |50 aconventional bubble type level, suitably mounted on a standardv 6|, thestandard beingv fastened to the top of thel platform.

The means for grading the ground is designated as an entirety by thenumeral E2, and said means is positioned beneath the platform |1. Thesaid means includes a continuous chain 63 carrying blades or scoops 64,thesaid chain being passed around end sprockets 65 and 66 and. in

contact with pairs of spaced sprockets 61, 68,

a, 69, v10. 1|, 12, and 13. The arrangement issuch that the blades orscoops substantially traverse in part a path slightly greater than Ythewidth of the platform, to the end thatl the scoops or blades contact theearth in .a manner such as to permitV an efficient leveling thereof. Theshaft for the sprocket 12 is spring-actuated toremove slack from thecontinuous chain 63. The sprocket is carried by an arm 14 and isadjustable relative to said arm. The arm is provided with a series ofbores 15 which areadapted to receive the shaft of the sprocket |65. Thearm 4 14 is mounted for swinging movement whereby it may assumedifferent angularities relative to a platform end. This is accomplishedby providing one or more standards 16, which are fastened to theplatform I1, the uppermost end of said standards supporting a segmentalrack 11. A swing lever 18 carries a releasable dog 19 which plays overthe teeth of the rack. The lever 18 is secured to the upper end of ashaft by a clamp 8|, while the lower end of shaft 80 is secured to andcarries arm 14. This is accomplished by boring a hole through the saidarm 14 and passing the shaft therethrough, there being a bearing bracket82 for supporting a portion of the arm and the shaft end (see Figure 2).The shaft 08 is further braced by a bracket 83 secured to the top of theplatform. The shaft 80 is so secured to the arm 14 that movement of thehandle 18 produces swinging movement of the arm 14. This may beaccomplished by welding or otherwise securing the shaft `B0 to the arm14. The chain 63 is of the link type and may take the form illustratedin Figure 4, wherein a link 84 is pinned between two lugs 85 and 86,which lugs are fastened to the blade or scoop 64. The

link has integrally formed therewith a sprocket tooth receiving portion`81, one end of which is provided with a hook 88. The hook 88 is adaptedto be secured to a further link and, as shown in Figures l and 2, theblades or scoops are spaced apart.

The blades or scoops shown are semi-circular in form, the concave faceportion 89 acting upon the earth formation so as to move it forwardly.as detailed in the statement of operation.

To cause movement of the continuous chain, I provide a power take-offfrom the tractor 8. Specically, a shaft 90 extends from the differentialin housing 9| and is'coupled by means of a universal joint 92 to ashort-length shaft 93 which, in turn, through. the medium of a uni-lversal 94, is connected with shaft 95' in housing 96. The shaft 95carries a bevel gear 91 in mesh with a bevel gear 98. Bevel. gear 98 ismounted on a shaft 99A in housing or casing 53, the sprocket 1| beingsecured to the lower end of this shaft.

The form of the inventionv shown in Figuresl 5 and 6 depicts a hydraulicmeans for maintaining the platform in a horizontal position andy isautomatic as to operation, whereas the' form of the invention shown inFigures 1' to 3,. inclusive, is to be operated manually, having duereference to the level 60.

The hydraulic means includes a pump IUD-having a connection |0| withtank. |'02` adapted to hold liquid, the output from said pump beingdirected through a hose |03 to pipe |04 by means of a T |05,interconnecting lengths of the pipe |04. A connector |06 in the pipe|04, positioned substantially intermediate the length of.l said pipe.communicates with a U connector |01. A flexible pipe |08 interconnects|01 with a cross coupling |09, the cross coupling being in directcommunication with tank |02 through pipe ||0.' The cross couplingA alsoconnects with pipes and H2, the ends of which latter pipes communicatewith relief valves ||3 and I|4r through flexible tubes ||5 and ||6. Therelief valves inFY turn connect with T connectors ||1 and H8, the: T'sconnecting with hydraulic pumps ||9 and |20. Thepipes |04 at each endcommunicate with the intake portions of pumps ||9 and |20 through.

suitable pipe connections |2| and |22.

carries therebeneath a continuous chain 63 provided with blades orscoops 64. The frame member |23 is substantially of the same length asthe platform and is supported by the frame members 4 and 5. Frame member|23 is channel in cross section and each leg adjacent the ends of theframe member carries spaced pairs of rollers |24 and |25. Yoke-typestruts |26 and |21 (see Figure 6) are secured to the platform |1adjacent each end thereof, as by means of small brackets designated4generally as |28. As shown in Figure 6, the legs of the yoke-type strutpass between the pairs of rollers |24 and |25 so as to direct verticalmovement of said struts. As shown in Figure 5, the upper ends of saidstruts carry the pumps ||9 and |20. Cylinders |29 and |30 are positionedintermediate the yokes, one end of each cylinder being swinginglymounted by means designated generally as |3|, to the frame member |23.Each cylinder has therein a piston, as shown in dotted lines in Figure5, the rod connecting a piston being swingingly mounted, as showngenerally at |32 (Figure 6) to the cross piece of a yoke.

Flexible pipes |33 and |34 connect with the Ts ||1 and H8, respectively,and with one end of the cylinders |29 and |30. It will be observed thatthe connections shown at |2| and |22 carry what may be known as breatherpipes |35, the outlet ends of said breather pipes being at a certainheight above pumps 9 and |20.

In order to drive the various pumps |90, H2 and |20, I provide a sheave|30 on shaft 93. The frame member 4 carries a bracket |31 which supportsa shaft |38. This shaft has keyed or otherwise secured thereto a sheave|30 having four grooves, or there may be four independent sheaves keyedto the shaft. A continuous belt |40 is passed between the sheaves |35and |39. Continuous belts |4| and |42 are passed between sheave |39 andsheaves |43 and |44, the last named sheaves being associated with pumps||9 and |20, respectively. For the purpose of driving pump |00, Iprovide a continuous belt |45 which is passed around sheave |39 and pumpsheave |46. Tension in the belts |40 and |45 is maintained byspring-pressed idler rollers |41 and |48 carried by swing arms |49 and|50. These arms are mounted on brackets which are supported by framemember 4.

The operation, uses and advantages of the invention just described areas follows:

First taking that form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 3,the pole 1 is secured to the rear end of the tractor, as shown in Figure1, through the ball and socket provided for that purpose, to the endthat the tractor may draw the leveler to the desired location. When atthe desired location, the operator starts movement of chain 63 andlowers the platform |1 to regulate penetration of the blades or Iscoopsin the ground by turning the crank 3|. When the blades engage theground, the platformmay tilt. This is determined by the level 50,whereupon the operator moves the lever 56 to raise or lower one end ofthe platform until it is horizontal. As the tractor traverses theground, the shaft 90 is rotated, which in turn will cause rotation ofthe sprocket 1| and drive the continuous chain 03. The arm 14 is turnedto a selected position which may be either that illustrated in Figure 1,or some other position, depending upon the width of the lseed bed. As atypical example, most seed beds are 20 feet in width and have borders ofapproximately 4 feet. Thus, the platform length is substantially 16feet, and the arm 14 adds the additional 4 feet when it is extendedhorizontally of the platform. As the chain moves, the scoops or bladeswill grade the dirt in the manner illustrated in Figure 2. Thewide-tready wheels 2 and 3 follow on the graded dirt and therefore rideon leveled ground. If the border is irregu lar, the operator may releasethe dog from engagement with the rack teeth and shift the arm 14 to anew location.

The device of Figures 5 and 6 is adapted to automatically maintain theplatform level. When the shaft 93 is rotated, all of the continuousbelts are moved to cause operation of the pumps |00, ||9 and |20. The Uconnection |01 is adjustable as to height through the oppositelythreaded connection |5| with T connection |06.

As long as the platform |1 remains in a horlzontal or level position,the fluid circulates from the tank |02 through pump |00 into theflexible line |03, the connection |05, adjustable connection |5|, Uconnection |01, flexible pipe |08, and through pipe ||0 to the tank |02.The line |04, leading to and including the elbows or pipe connections|2| and |22, contains fluid up to the level indicated by the dotted line|52. The fluid in the line |04 and elbows |2| and |22 is free to moveeither to the right or to the left as the right or left end of theplatform |1 is tipped or elevated, due to a change in the transversegrade. The dotted line |52 indicates the level of the fluid in theconnections |2| and |22 when the platform I1 is level and is equal tothe overflow level of the liquid as it passes through the U connection|01, which is below the level of the inside diameter of the pipesleading to the pumps I 9 and |20. As the platform member |1 is tipped ineither direction, one or the other of the pumps I9 and |20 will belowered because of their connection to the U-shaped yoke member |26. Aseither of the pumps ||9 or |20 is lowered, liquid will flow to thelowermost pump because the inside diameter of the pipe leading to thepump has been lowered below the liquid level |52. As the fluid flowsinto either pump, it is forced through line |33 or |34 to cylinders |29or |30 to actuate the pistons therein, thereby raising the yoke member|29 or |21 with respect to the frame. It should be noted `that the linesI5 and ||6 connected through the relief valves ||3 and 4 and Tconnections ||1 and ||8 to the lines |33 and |34 provide a means forby-passing a small amount of the liquid being forced through the lines|33 and |34; and when the platform |1 again becomes level, the reliefvalves ||3 or ||4 will allow a slight amount of liquid to return to thetank |02, thus lowering the yoke member |26 or |21, which will, in turn,again start the levelling cycle.

The platform |1 may be initially adjusted as to height in the form ofthe invention shown in Figure 5, through the medium of a long screw |53,the screw being passed through a threaded nut |54, carried by framemember |23, the lower end of said screw carrying a ball fitted within asocket, the socket of which is secured to the platform |1, as indicatedat |55. The upper end of the screw carries a hand wheel |56. Thus, theplatform I1 may be initially adjusted for height, whereupon thehydraulic system described will maintain the platform level, to the endthat the scoops 64 will have proper formation contact to level theformation.

I claim:

1. A leveler including a dirigible frame, a. plat- 7 form suspended fromsaidv frame intermediate its. length, hydraulic cylinders mounted. oneach end of the frame and connected to the'. adjacent end of theplatform, a hydraulic pump, having an inlet and an outlet, for eachhydraulic cylinder, supported by the platform and positioned adjacentsaid cylinders, a liquid line extending between the inlets of. saidpumps, and a liquid line` between the outlet of each pump and itscylinder, a third hydraulic pump having an inlet and an outlet and aliquid line from the outlet of said third pump to the line connectingthe inletsof the other two pumps and a liquid line returning. to saidthird pump and connected to the liquid line which extends between theinlets of the first named pumps, said liquid line having an adjustableliquid' overflow portion to position the; same at. acertain levelrelative to the axis o1',l the inlet level of said rst named pumps,meansl for driving all of said pumps, and whereby when the platformassumes a given level, liquid is by-passed4 from the third named pumpinto the liquid line and returned thereto, and when the platform istilted from a determined level, liquid is directed to one or the otherof said first named. pumps to be received in one of the hydrauliccylinders to raise or lower the platform to maintain its determinedlevel.

2. A leveler, including a dirigible frame, a platform adjustablysuspended intermediate its length from said frame, hydraulic cylindersVmountedon each end of the frame and connected to the adjacent end oftheV platform, first and second hydraulic pumps-supported by theplatform, in liquid. connection with said cylinders, a third hydraulicpump supported by the platform, a liquid line extending between. thefirst and second hydraulic pumps, and means for directing liquid fromsaid third hydraulic pump into said line to one or the other of said.first` and' second hydraulicpumps, dependentupon the tilting of theplatform to raise or lower the platform to level the same.

3. A leveler, including a dirigible frame, a platform transverselypositioned beneath said. frame, scraper blades carried beneath saidplatform, an elevator supported by the frame', link members between saidelevator and the platform for suspending the platform intermediate itslength, hydraulic cylinders mounted on each end` of the frame andconnected to the adjacent end of the platform, a hydraulic pumpsupported by the platform for each hydraulic cylinder and in. .i liquidconnection with said cylinders, a third hydraulic pump supported by theplatform, a. liquid line extending between the inlet portions of thehydraulic pumpsfor said hydraulic cylinders, and means for directingliquid from the third named hydraulic pump into said liquid line to oneor the other of the said iirst named hydraulic pumps, dependent upontilting of the platform and said scraper blades, to raise or lower theplatform and blades to level the same.

ISADORE SEMINARIO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 460,919 Lasher Oct. 6, 1891r1,722,725 Wheeler July 30, 1929 1,778,690 Scheuchzer Oct. 14, 19301,936,518 McColm Nov.v 21, 1933 2,027,685 Flynn c J an. 14, 1936v2,128,273 Stevens Aug. 30, 1938

